Smith makes abortion-related gaffe

John L. MicekCall Harrisburg Bureau

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Tom Smith said Monday afternoon that he opposes abortionin all cases -- even for victims of rape and incest.

Smith's comments came after he was asked about the political firestorm surrounding the abortion-related remarks made earlier this month by a Missouri congressman running for Senate against Democrat Claire McCaskill.

"My stance is on the record and it's very simplistic," Smith, of Armstrong County, said after an appearance at the monthly Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon. "I’m pro-life, period. And what that congressman said, I do not agree with at all. He should have never said anything like that.”

Asked to clarify if he'd support exceptions in the case of rape or incest, Smith, who's running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, said "No exceptions."

In an online interview, Casey said he'd support exceptions in cases of rape or incest or when the life of the mother was threatened.

When a reporter asked Smith Monday how he'd tell a daughter or a granddaughter who'd gotten pregnant as a result of a sexual assault that she'd have to keep the baby, the Republican nominee told reporters that he'd "lived something similar to that with my own family, and she chose life. I commend her for that. She knew my views, but fortunately for me, I didn’t have to … she chose the way I thought."

Smith then appeared to imply that having a child out of wedlock was similar to rape, but then quickly added, "No no no, but put yourself in a father’s position, yes. It is similar. This isn’t … but back to the original, I’m pro-life period.”

When he was pressed again to clarify whether he was equating having a child out of wedlock to a pregnancy resulting from rape, Smith said: "No I did not say that. I didn't even come close to saying it. I said I went through a situation. It's very, very difficult. Do I condone rape? Absolutely not. Do I propose life? Yes I do. I'm pro-life period.

"A life is a life. And it needs protected," he continued. "Who's going to protect it? We have to. I believe life begins at conception. I'm not going to argue about the method of conception. It's a life. And I'm pro-life. It's that simple. OK?"